The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-07-15
JESS.
RyH,NpER HAceARp.
jh&sas''IQas solemeesauees StIue
CHAPTER XIII.
IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL.

of the cart positively gasping. During the
afternoon there had been little breeze, but
this had now died away, and the sitting air
felt as thick as though they were breathing
cream. Even the two Beers seemed to feel
the heat for they were both outstretched on
the grass q few PAGES to the left, to all ap-
pearances fast asleep. As for the horses, they
were thoroughly done up-too much so to
eat-and hobbled along as well as their Knee
halters would allow, daintily picking
mouthful here and mouthful there. The
only person who did not seem to mind was
the Zulu Mouti, who sat OH an antheap near
the horses, In the full glare Of the setting sun
and comfortably droned out little song OF
his own invention, for Zulus are as great for
improvising as the Italians.
" john" said Jess, at last, "where do you
suppose we are going to camp tonight II
we follow the main road we shall reach Stan
derton in an hour"
II don't suppose that they will 60 near
Standerton," he said. II suppose that we
shall cross the Vaal by another drift and
have to 'veldt,' it,"
Just then the two Beers woke up and began
to talk earnestly together, as though they
were debating something holly.
Slowly the huge red ball Of the sun sank TO-
ward the horizon. stepping the earth and sky IN
blood. About hundred yards from where
they sat the little bride path that branched
from the main road crossed the crest OF one
of the great land waves that rolled away in
every direction toward the far horizon. John
watched the sun sinking behind it till some
thing called away his attention for minute.
When he looked up again there was figure
on horseback, standing quite still. upon the
crest of the ridge in the full glow of the now
disappearing sun. 1t was Frank Muller.
John recognized him in moment. His horse
was standing sideways, SO that even at that
distance every line of his features, even the
trigger guard of the rife that rested on his
knee, showed distinctly against the back
ground of smoky red. Nor was that all.
Both he and his horse had the appearance OF
being absolutely on fire. The effect produced
was SO weird and extraordinary that John
called his companions attention to it. She
looked and shuddered involuntarily.
HE looks like devil in hell" she said;
"the fire seems to be running all up and down
him."
"Well," said John, "he certainly is devil,
but am sorry to say that he has not yet
reached his destination. Here be comes, like
q whirlwind."
In another twenty seconds Muller had
refined the great black horse on to his
launches alongside of them, and was smiling
sweetly and taking of his hat
"You see have managed to keep my
word, he said VI can tell you that had
great difficulty in doing SO; indeed, ! was
nearly obliged to give the thing up at the
last moment. However, here l am"
"Where are we to outspan to-night!" asked
Jess. "At Standerton"
"No," he said; II am afraid that is more
than can manage for you, unless you can
persuade the English officer there to sul1en-
der. What have arranged is, that we should
cross the Vaal at drift know about two
hours (twelvSnliles) from here, and outspan
ate farm q other side Do not trouble,
I1assure y6S{3ou shall both sleep well to-
night" and he smiled a somewhat terrifying
smile, Jess thought.
"But how about this drift, Mr.. Muller!"
said John. SIS it safes should have
thought that the Vaal would have been in
food after all the rain that we have had"
"The drift is perfectly safe, Capt. Mel l
crossed it myself about two hours ago /
know you have had bad opinion of me, but
l suppose you do not think that / should
guide you to all unsafe drift?" and with an
other bow he rode on to speak to the two
Beers, saying, as he went, "Will you tell the
Kaffir to put the horses in?"
With shrug of his shoulders John rose and
went off toward Mouti, to help him to drive
up the four grays, who were now standing
Imply together. biting at the flies, that, be-
fore storm, sting more sharply than at any
other time. The two horses belonging to the
escort were some fifty PAGES to the left. 1t
was as though they appreciated the position
of affairs, and declined to mix with the ami
mails of the discredited Englishman
The two Beers rose as Muller came and
walked off toward their horses, Muller
slowly following them. As they came the
horses hobbled away another thirty yards or
go, and then lifted up their heads and, as q
consequence, their fore legs, to which the
heads were tied, and stood looking defantly
at their captors. for all the world as though
they were trying to make up their minds
whether or not to shake hands with them.
Frank Muller was alongside the two men
now, and they were alongside the horses.
"Listen!" he said, sternly
The men looked up.
"Go on loosening the reins, and listen"
lucy OUtycU, hIlu Uckdu W SlOWly AuH Dlo
at the knee halters.
"You understand what our orders are. Re
peat them-you!"
The man with the tooth, who was addressed,
still handling the rein, began as follows: ITO
take the two prisoners to the Vaal, to force
them into the water where there is no drift,
at night, SO that they drown; if they do not
drown, to shoot them"
"Those are the ORDERS" said the Wider
beeste, grinning
"You understand them?"
1--WE understand, meinheer; but, forgive
us. the matter is big one. You gave the
orders-we wish to see the authority"
"Yah, YAH" said the other. "show us the
authority. These are two harmless people
enough. Show us the authority for killing
them. People must not be killed SO, even if
they are English folk, without proper au-
thority, especially when one is pretty girl
who would do for q mans wife"
Frank Muller set his teeth. "Nice fellows
you are to have under one!" he said. II am
your officer; what other authority do you
want2 But thought Of this See here!"
and he drew paper from his pocket. "Here,
you-read it! Careful now-do not let them
see from the wagon"
The big, fiabby faced man took the paper
and, still bending down over the horses
knees, read aloud:
Al